Hamburg launches first remote-controlled gantry cranes at CTA

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) will begin operating its first remote-controlled container gantry cranes at HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) in February.

The company will integrate the first three cranes into live operations this month. HHLA plans to replace all 14 gantry cranes at CTA with highly automated models by 2030. The next three cranes will arrive in April 2026.

“These investments strengthen our competitiveness and prepare our terminals for the future,” said HHLA CEO Jeroen Eijsink. “We are also investing in training so our teams can operate the new technology safely and efficiently.”

Hamburg’s Senator for Economic Affairs, Dr Melanie Leonhard, said automation will boost efficiency while reshaping port jobs and skills through continuous training.

HHLA delivered the new cranes by special vessel in December 2024 and assembled them at CTA. The cranes stand up to 120 metres tall with a 146-metre jib and can handle ships up to 16,000 TEU.

The cranes use automated loading and discharge systems and OCR-based container identification to speed up operations and improve data accuracy. Operators now control the cranes remotely from an office building.

HHLA is training staff through the DigiRemote2030 programme. About 70 crane operators have already completed simulator-based training. Supervisors and lashers are also retraining as automation changes workflows.

HHLA is expanding automation across its network. At HHLA Container Terminal Burchardkai, automated guided vehicles are already handling mega-ships, with full quay automation expected by mid-year.

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